"Nearing Its Final Mile"- Viper- Automobile Mag-July 2008

[vipernut]

Has anybody seen or addressed this statement in Automobile mag? It's the last paragraph on page 16 in the July 2008 issue of Automobile mag.....it's in a column titled.."Bring Out Your Dead"...and it says among other things...."It also appears that the VIPER (largely handbuilt at its own plant) is nearing its final mile......"

Any truth to this?

[Lee00blacksilverGTS]

Media Speculation only. Certainly not an immediate threat, 2009 options and colors are already announced.
New UAW contract stipulated that Chrysler COULD close Connor if they wanted to and not have to build something else there which is the way the UAW would have liked it to read. But they made that stipulation for about 80% of the plants as did GM and Ford. Many have made a big deal out of that. But with a production of only around 1500 or so it would be very easy to have someone like Saleen build it with non UAW workers. They already do all the body panels. And with non UAW workers and a modern facility the car would be eevn more profitable than it is now. Putting those stipulations in the contract was not about canceling car lines but moving production to non UAW plants elsewhere, Mexico, Canada, or a private entity like Saleen in the US that would not have to have UAW employees.
The second problem causing rumors is that Chrysler will not confirm much of ANYTHING two years out. Too much depends on the economy and the new buying patterns that have evolved due to the gas crisis. So in the absence of a YES answer answer in terms of the cars long term future, mind you, they have not said no either, the press has moved ahead and done what they do best...speculate.

[Kevan]

I have a pretty scalding post on this subject, if anyone would like to read it.
Let's just say that Cerberus won't be interviewing me anytime soon.